*Chapter 4: Reunion*

When the morning sun is rising up, Rayna stood by the gates of the village with a buffalo next to her. Elias is across the bridge with his buffalo while holding Narvi who settled in the blue carrier sling around Elias. Evak gathered his things in his bag and climbed on the buffalo. Hunar walked towards his sister and hand her the stuff.

"Here. You may need these. Been testing them for some time and they work." He spoke.

"What are they?" Rayna asked, examining the soft material bags.

"Be careful with them. They are smoke bombs. Use them for anything to get away from predators." Hunar told her. "Throw them to the ground and smoke will appear, blinding animals or people."

"Those are one of the things that Samesh and his people use." Evak spoke.

"Another trick to bring in the jungle." Rayna said as she put the smoke bombs in her bag. "Thank you, Hunar. Elias will return with Narvi. Evak and I will come back in a few days."

"Just be very careful." Hunar said, bringing her into a hug. Rayna wrapped her arms around him. "You sure you don't want me to come along?"

"Thanks, but I can handle it." Rayna said. Hunar gave her a nod. He wanted to go with her on this one but told to stay in the village since Rayna knows the jungle more than he does. Rayna climbed on the buffalo as Evak sat behind her. "See you soon." Rayna said before having the buffalo walk across the bridge to meet up with Elias. Hunar gave them a wave goodbye, wishing Rayna and Evak good luck. After they disappeared into the jungle, Hunar crossed his arms as he thought back the story Rayna told him.

"Samesh. The Golden Tusk. Why do those names sound familiar?" He wondered. He walked back in the village as he is in deep thought.

After running through the jungle, they reached the wolf territory as their buffalos ceased their speed. Rayna formed a smile as memories are coming to her. She halts the buffalo and let out a loud howl. Evak watched her and listened for any other howl than Rayna's. Rayna got down and let out another howl. Sounds of rustling is heard and someone lunged on Rayna.

"Hey, Rayna!" Nadine exclaimed, playfully pinning her. Rayna chuckled and gently pushed the leopard off of her. Elias got off of his buffalo and held his son close as Evak remains at his seat. "We've missed you!" Nadine said.

"We missed you too." Rayna said. Nadine turned to Elias and see baby Narvi who cooed happily. Nadine nuzzled the baby's face with a purr, making Narvi giggle. "Is everyone here?" Rayna asked. Nadine turned her attention to the young woman. She nodded.

"Akela was resting in his cave. He's asking of you." Nadine replied. Rayna frowned a bit. She turned to Elias.

"It's time..."

XX

The wolves were resting around the Council Rock. Raksha sat by the cave where Akela is resting in. Aztec, Roan, Onyx, and Scout walked out of the cave with sad looks. Raksha was about to speak to her sons until they hear one of the wolves speak.

"Rayna!" The wolves stood up to see Rayna coming up with Elias and Evak. Evak looked around the Council Rock to see the wolf pack. He looked up to see Bagheera on the tree branch. Raksha and her sons ran up to Rayna, giving her licks. Rayna giggled and she embraced them. Elias smiles as he revealed Narvi to the pack. Aztec sniffed his human nephew as the baby let out a giggle.

"It's been too long, daughter." Raksha spoke as she nuzzles Rayna's face.

"I've missed you too, mother." Rayna replied. She stared at her mother wolf. "I've come to see Akela. How is he?"

"He's hanging on." Raksha says as she turned to the cave. "Best go see him now." Rayna nodded. She told Elias and Evak to wait outside the cave. Aztec walked in the cave with Rayna. Laying on the stone ground is Akela. Rayna could see white on his face. He is very old. Rayna sat in front of him and gently placed her hand on his neck.

"Akela. It's me." Rayna spoke. Akela groaned and looked up at the young woman. He smiled a bit.

"Rayna. You've returned."

"I had to." Rayna said, trying to hold back her tears. "Akela...you've been so good to me over the years. Taking me in when I was a small child."

"I was honored to have you...as a wolf. And a daughter." Akela said, coughing a bit. "Aztec..." He looked over at his son.

"Yes, father?" Aztec asked, looking down at him.

"My son. You...will be the leader of the pack." Akela told him. Aztec blinked in shock. "Take care of them. Take care of your mother." Akela rests his head on the ground. "See you soon..." He let out his last breath. Rayna's tears fall from her eyes. Aztec's ears lowered as they both see their father figure die. Rayna began to sob and rest her head on Akela's neck.
Elias and Evak sat by the rock as Raksha have Narvi resting against her. The wolves then turned to see Rayna and Aztec walk out of the cave. They both have tears running down their cheeks. Rayna shook her head to Elias who approached her. He hugged her as Rayna cried on his chest. Bagheera closed his eyes in sympathy.

"Old friend...may you rest in peace." He said softly.
Rayna sat on top of the Council Rock, looking at the jungle view. She dried her tears as she hears someone approach her from behind.

"Hey, little britches." A voice greeted softly. She turned to see Baloo who smiled a bit.

"Papa Bear." Rayna spoke as she gave him a hug. She looked over to see Kit with Elias and the others. "How are you and Kit?" Rayna asked.

"We're doing just fine, Ray. But...we're here to see ya. I'm really sorry about Akela. He was a good leader." Baloo replied. He got a better look at Rayna. "Oh man. You look different."

"It's called growing up, Baloo." Rayna said with a playful smirk.

"And who's the new man-cub over there?" Baloo asked looking at Evak who is talking to Nadine and Kit. "Wait. He's the one Bagheera was telling us about."

"Evak." Rayna told him.

"And you two are looking for treasure out there in the jungle?" Baloo asked.

"That's right. There are bad people out there looking for it. So, we're going to find it before anyone else does." Rayna said. "You in, Baloo?"

"Are you kidding? I'm always by your side!" Baloo says as he gave Rayna a noogie. The young woman laughed as she felt the bear's knuckles into her head. Elias and Evak are hearing Rayna's cries and laughter as Baloo is giving her a noogie. Kit chuckled at the sight.

"Some things never change." He said, crossing his arms.

"Guess not." Elias spoke.

"Must be great to be raised in the jungle." Evak said. "How did Rayna manage to do it?"

"She could give you some tips while you two go on the adventure." Elias told the boy. "Evak, when you and Rayna are heading out, stay with her at all times. There are dangerous predators out there."

"Samesh and his people are worse. Trust me on that. They are armed with guns and machetes." Evak said. "But here's one thing I should tell you guys. Samesh also has trained wolves. Not only them, but he also has a python."

"Oh great. Let me guess. He or she has hypnotic powers?" Nadine asked.

"I don't know. I only saw a glimpse of her once." Evak replied.

"Should we...should we go with you guys?" Kit asked. Evak only shrugged. He wasn't sure how dangerous this journey could be.

"Let's not jump to conclusions yet." Bagheera spoke as he appeared next to Elias. "This jungle is a very big place. There are places that all of us has never been to. Remember Hiro mentioned the mechanical snake out there with those tracks? Man uses it to travel through the jungle."

"It's called the train." Evak corrected. "Rayna and I have the map to find the ruins where the Golden Tusk is kept. Samesh can't have his hands on it." He took out the map and turn it over to show the animals the drawing of the Golden Tusk. "Any of you have seen the sight of this before?" The animals stared at the drawing and shook their heads.

"You can ask Shivani." Kit spoke.

"Shivani? Wait...that snake who can see the future, right?" Evak asked. The animals nodded.

"She may be able to help." Bagheera says. "If you and Rayna go to her swamp, she may know about the tusk and what was out there." Evak nodded and put away the map. He is nervous but excited about this. He will be able to see more of Rayna's allies out in the jungle. But they must be prepared for Samesh and his group who could be somewhere out there looking for Evak and the map.

"You sure you're going to be alright, Rayna?" Elias asked as he climbed on the buffalo with his son in the carrier sling. "If you aren't back in a few days, I'm coming back for you. I'll even bring Hunar with me."

"I promise you, Elias. I'm going to be fine. I was raised in the jungle, remember?" Rayna asked with a smile.

"You think you still got it?" Elias asked. Rayna smirked. "Of course. But seriously, we're coming for you if we didn't hear from you. Chil is going to give us the word."

"I'll come home safe and sound." Rayna said. They both kissed. Rayna gave Narvi a kiss on the head. Elias made his buffalo walk away. Rayna and Evak watched them leave. Rayna gripped on her necklace. "I'll come home unharmed. I promise." Rayna said to herself. She then turned to the boy. "Before we begin the journey, there is some place I need to take you first."

"Where?" Evak asked.

XX

Both Rayna and Baloo are pushing the rock to reveal the cave with Rayna's collection of lost items that people dropped in the jungle from the past. Rayna walked in the cave as Evak followed her inside to see some stuff. Baloo is on his fours to get inside.

"Man, it's been a while since I've been in here. No one knows a thing about this place." He laughed.

"That's why it's secret." Rayna told him as she picked up her bag. "About this Golden Tusk, I'm thinking this would be a perfect place to keep it hidden from anybody who wanted to find it."

"That's a good idea." Evak said with a nod. Rayna hands him over the knife that Elias had found in the cold lairs before. "What's this?"

"A knife Elias found. He wanted to leave it here since it's also treasure. I think you should have it for good use. You have to defend yourself somehow." Rayna said. Evak studied the knife and put it away. "Okay. Next, we go to Shivani. She could give us some clues about our travel, and she should know about the treasure."

"I really wish we don't have to go see her." Baloo said with a shudder.
They all closed the cave and placed the vines over the rock. Waiting for them are Kit, Tailsy, and Bagheera. Rayna formed a small smile. Time for another journey and it will be her last.